At Continuing Studies, we recognize that adult learners often like to stay in touch with their classmates.  While we do not want to discourage this practice, it is important that as an office (which includes our Instructors as representatives of Continuing Studies) we are in compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FIPPA) legislation.  To this end,  we ask that you note the following:

• if there is a desire on the part of the Instructor and/or students to share contact information with each other, every student must understand that the information will be shared with the entire class and that providing their name and contact information is optional.
• if personal information is being collected by passing a sheet around the class, the Instructor and/or the student who has initiated the activity should put a statement at the top of the sheet advising a) why the information is being collected (i.e. so classmates can stay in touch) and b) that participation is optional.  In putting this information in writing, as opposed to making a verbal announcement, all students will have access to the same information, including any latecomers to the class.

For those students that wish to participate, sharing only limited information (e.g. name and e-mail address) is encouraged.

Important Information

The University of Western Ontario has recently introduced revisions to its "Policy on Course Outlines".  For Continuing Studies, the following information applies to courses in the Diploma and Certificate portfolio only. 

If you teach in a Diploma or Certificate program please familiarize yourself with the following information. 

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Cory Saarinen, Coordinator, Diploma & Certificate Programs.  Cory can be reached at either csaarin@uwo.ca or 519 661 2111 ext. 85192.

Course Outlines – A Guide

No later than the first day of class in the term a course is given, the full course outline must be available to students.

To ensure students are allowed to make informed decisions on their course selection and the scheduling of their studies, each course outline must include the following information, or direct students to a website where these details are available:

Course information

This includes the course name and number, and the location and days and hours that the course is scheduled (including lecture, laboratory and tutorial hours if applicable).

Prerequisite checking – the student’s responsibility

If applicable, a list of the prerequisites for the course and the following notation regarding the Senate regulation with respect to the student’s responsibility for ensuring that course prerequisites have been completed successfully or special permission from the Dean is obtained:

‘Unless you have either the requisites for this course or written special permission from your Dean to enroll in it, you may be removed from this course and it will be deleted from your record.  This decision may not be appealed.  You will receive no adjustment to your fees in the event that you are dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites.’

Instructor information

Full name, title and appropriate contact information of the instructor and, if the course is taught by more than one instructor, the name of the person responsible for the course.

Course syllabus

A description of the objectives and content of the course, which shall include a statement of what is expected by way of preparation, tests, exercises, essays, laboratory reports, etc. (hereafter called assignments), and any specific requirements for attendance and participation.

Course materials

A description of the materials that are required (or recommended) for the course, including text books, supplemental information, notes, manuals, laboratory or safety materials, and any specific electronic devices.

Methods of evaluation

A statement of the methods by which student performance will be evaluated and the weight of each assignment, including an exact timetable and schedule of assignments.  When exact dates cannot be supplied, a tentative or rough schedule must be issued, with an exact schedule to follow as soon as possible.  This regulation does not preclude the administration of surprise assignments and quizzes, as long as the total number, approximate frequency, and value of such assignments are specified in the course outline.  A clear indication of how missed assignments will be dealt with must be provided.  Course instructors who wish to change the evaluation procedure shown in the course outline must receive prior approval to do so from the Dean of the Faculty.

Additional statements

Statement on use of electronic devices

A clear statement of what electronic devices will or will not be allowed during tests and examinations.

Statement of use of personal response systems (Clickers)

If Personal Response Systems are used in the course, a reference to the Guidelines for their use.  Instructors are to communicate clearly to students information on how clickers are used including: how the student’s privacy will be protected, how clickers may be used by the instructor for data gathering and for evaluating the students, and why they cannot be used by anyone but the student (since the students involved in misuse of a clicker may be charged with a scholastic offence).

Statement on academic offences

The statement: ‘Scholastic offences are taken seriously and students are directed to read the appropriate policy, specifically, the definition of what constitutes a Scholastic Offence, at the following Web site:
http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/handbook/appeals/scholoff.pdf’

Additionally,
If written work will be assigned in the course and plagiarism-checking software might be used, the following statement to this effect must be included in the course outline:

• All required papers may be subjected to submission for textual similarity review to the commercial plagiarism detection software under license to the University for the detection of plagiarism.  All papers submitted for such checking will be included as source documents in the reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of papers subsequently submitted to the system.  Use of the service is subject to licensing agreement, currently between The University of Western Ontario and Turnitin.com (http://www.turnitin.com)

• If computer marked multiple-choice tests and/or exams will be given, and software might be used to check for unusual coincidences in answer patterns that may indicate cheating, the following statement must be added to the course outlines:

Computer marked multiple-choice tests and/or exams may be subject to submission for similarity review by software that will check for unusual coincidences in answer patterns that may indicate cheating”

Support services

The web sites for Registrarial Services (http://www4.registrar.uwo.ca) and the same for affiliated university colleges when appropriate, and any appropriate student support services and the Student Development Services, should be provided for easy access.

Scheduling assignments

Be sure that, for your course:

• No new (ie., previously unannounced) assignments are introduced in the last six weeks of class.

• Notice of the dates and nature of assignments be given to students before the final six weeks of a course.

• The intent of this rule is to permit students to set their work schedule.

Scheduling tests/examinations

• Tests for half-term courses may not be scheduled during the last 3 weeks of classes in the term. (15 days, excluding Saturdays and Sundays)

• Tests for full-year courses may not be scheduled during the last week of classes in the Fall (September to December) term (5 days, excluding Saturdays and Sundays) or during the last 3 weeks of classes in the Winter (January to April) term (15 days, excluding Saturdays and Sundays).

• The department/faculty shall ensure that all conflicts with previously scheduled classes or tests are resolved, either by rescheduling the tests, or by offering an equivalent test at another time for those students who have declared a conflict prior to the test in accordance with policy as set by the department.

• All tests normally will be held during regularly scheduled class hours.  If, for sound academic or administrative reasons, out of class tests must be scheduled, such tests may be held on any date.  Reasonable notice of out-of-class tests must be given in order to allow students to resolve conflicts with other academic duties or university-sanctioned extracurricular activities.

• In cases where a ruling regarding what constitutes a test or assignment is required, the instructor and/or student may consult the appropriate Dean.

There are still openings available for instructors who are interested in enrolling in one of our upcoming ‘Teaching Adult Learners” courses.

Please remember, you may take up to two courses free of charge. These courses are specifically intended to enhance the design and delivery of training for the adult learner.

Take advantage of this great opportunity! Call our office at 519 661 3658 and reserve your seat.

Teaching Adult Learners Courses:

Virtual Teams and Communities of Practice

Teaching with Technology